The five best games left on the Oregon Ducks schedule

Tough Tests

The Oregon Ducksare coming off a non-conference slate that saw them go a perfect 3-0 and ascend to number three in the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll.

Though the teams they may have faced (Arkansas State, Fresno State, and Tennessee Tech) may not be your college football powerhouses, the Ducks demonstrated an offensive prowess second to none while showcasing a stout defense that will be key for the rest of their 2012 season.

Looking to remain as a powerhouse in college football will not be easy, however.

Beginning Pac-12 play with No. 22 Arizona, the Ducks will have to find their way through a gauntlet of opponents that include the likes of USC, Stanford, and Oregon State.

While many have knocked the Pac-12 in recent years for being weak, this years’ Pac-12 Conference is one of the best in college football and strong pretty much all the way through (with the exception of Oregon State and Washington State).

De’Anthony Thomas will be a crucial player in all of Oregon’s remaining games.

Without a doubt there will plenty of interesting games for Duck fans to watch their team play in this Pac-12 season.

With that being said, here are the 5 best games remaining on their schedule.

5. vs. Arizona – September 22, 2012

The best games left on Oregon’s schedule begin with this Saturday’s matchup against the Arizona Wildcats.

After playing a few lackluster games to start the season, the Ducks will host the Wildcats for a primetime matchup that figures to showcase two of the most exciting offenses in the conference.

The Ducks will have to play to their potential to cover the Wildcats and keep them away from one of the bigger upsets of the season.

4. vs. Washington – October 6, 2012

While the Huskies may not be a top-tier team yet, the Ducks and Huskies’ rivalry is one of the best in college football.

Washington has made great strides in recent years and this years’ matchup looks to be the most competitive in awhile when the two teams meet on October 6th in Autzen Stadium.

3. at Oregon State – November 24, 2012

One of the other great rivalries in college football that is not as publicized as should be is The Civil War, a game that features in-state rivals Oregon and Oregon State.

Though there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Beavers this season, the Ducks and Beavers always provide for a thrilling clash that is sure to be featured on a national network.

2. vs. Stanford – November 17, 2012

With Stanford’s stunning upset of USC, the Stanford-Oregon matchup this season looks to be just as important as it has in recent years, especially when the Cardinal figure to be the stiffest competition for the Ducks in the Pac-12 North.

1. at USC – November 3, 2012

Though the Trojans did suffer a loss to Stanford to knock them down in the polls, don’t think that the Men of Troy won’t be gunning for Oregon more than ever as they still have a legitimate shot at winning the Pac-12 and making a run at the BCS National Championship.

The Trojans are built to contend with the Ducks and this will still be the marquee matchup of the year that everybody has been anticipating since the schedule was released.